How can I create a twisted pole?
Play with the Screw modifier.


Create a circle.
Hit R X 90 Enter.
CNTL-A > Rotation and Scale.
Edit mode. Select the circle. G X 2 Enter.
In the Modifiers palette, select Screw. By default, you will have generated a torus.
Screw: 1.5 (play with this value).
Iterations: 3 (play with this value).


That gets you your barberpole pillar. From there, experiment :)